Bill Starrett

Graveside Services are scheduled on June 21, 2025 at 10:00AM at Woodbine Cemetery for Bill Starrett, known by friends and family as “Mr. Bill,” and “Dad.” He passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 78 in El Paso TX after complications from a fall on April 9th.

Masonic Rites will be presented by Roswell Lodge #18 and Pastor David Grousnick will be officiating.

William Henry Starrett, Sr. “Bill” or “Mr. Bill” was born April 20, 1947, to Richard S. and Helen L. (Nye) Starrett in Shelby Ohio.

They came to and settled in Roswell NM in 1949. Bill attended Roswell Public Schools and graduated in the class of 1966 at Goddard High School. He then enlisted in the Army National Guard and left for basic training at Fort Bliss in August of that year. He was transferred then to Fort Ord California for further training in Communications and after training, returned to Roswell where he served with the guard and several jobs until moving to Artesia in 1978.

He met his wife, Rose Mary “Rosy” Fulton on October 1, 1970, and they married April 7, 1971. They were blessed with two sons, William “Bill” Starrett of Richardson TX and Peyton Ross Starrett of Artesia.

His hobbies included woodworking, as well as painting both in oils and watercolor. He was an accomplished artist and cartoonist.

He joined the Masonic Lodge #28 of Artesia and became a Master Mason, rising to the position of Worshipful Master and is also a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 18 and a member of the First Christian Church in Artesia.

During his working years, he worked for Riverside Oil Company, Queen Oil and Gas, Eddins Walcher, SC Fuels, and Pilot Fuels. He jokingly said that he “worked at the same place on the hill” on Richey Street for over 20 years, even though the names on the building changed.

Bill and Rosy purchased Artesia Soft Water Service on his birthday, April 20th of 1993, where they continue to operate the business. He loved the service business and thought there was no greater honor than to serve his customers.

He is survived by his wife Rosy, their sons Bill Jr., Peyton & wife Alison, nephew James Starrett (Sylvia), of San Antonio TX., Nieces Anna Wilbanks (Gary) of Roswell and Rachel Eberhardt of Homer Alaska, and sister-in-law Patty Starrett of McKinney TX, as well as a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard S. “Dick” Starrett Jr., as well as two nephews, David Starrett and Michael Starrett

Bill will always be remembered for his generosity his sense of humor and his appetite at potluck dinners!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.